TO INCREASE INTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 125, 29 May 1930, Page 15

TO INCREASE INTEREST

EDUCATIONAL FEDERATION

AFFILIATION PAYMENTS

Mr. N. A. Ingram presided at tho first annual meeting of the Wellington Federation of Educational Associations last night. There were some twenty delegates, present. The annual report", extracts from which havo already appeared in ;'The Post," was adopted without discussion; likewise the balance-sheet. Mr. N. A. Ingrain was re-electea president, the other officers for the year being chosen as follows: —"Vice-presi-dents, Mr. C. D. Lonnie, Miss M. Magill; secretary, Mr. A. T. Burnetto; executivo committee, Miss J.. Park, Mrs. E. Maslen, Mrs. I. Robinson, Mrs. Wilson, Messrs. E. A. E. Mogford, F. L. Combs, J. J. Clark, J. ¥. Fyfe, L. Hennesey, V. Rowland, C. B. M'Dongall,'A. Parlane, C. H. Nicholls, B. A. Rough, L. G P. Whyte; organising secretary, .Mr. N. A. Ingram; hon. auditor, Mr. G. T. Kellaway; hon. solicitor, Mr. F. W. Ongley. THE "POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE." Mr. Ingram, addressing the meeting, referred to what ho considered the "political atmosphere" surrounding education to-day. Changes in Ministers meant changes in policy, and-he considered that education should be lifted out of political control, and a National Council appointed to control education from beginning to end. The speaker 8l«i said that tho federationhad not; and the support from the public which it should have. As far as school capitation was concerned, ho thought they would be gui' within their rights to place the matter before the new Primo Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) by deputation. AFFILIATION FEES. Mr. Ingram moved that the affiliation fee be increased from. £,1 Is to £3 3s in order that tho necessary propaganda for furthering the interest of education could be carried out by the federation. Miss Magill seconded tho motion. Mr. F. L. Gombs moved as an amendment that the subscription from homo and school associations should bo £10, spread over a year. "Education rests on a popular foundation," he said, in stressing his point, "and the well-being of education and of the children will be precisely the measure of the public interest and concern that you have nroused, and I believe that if proper methods aro used you can stir up that interest." , , Miss Parlc ?said she would like to 'see the N.Z.EiL pay an affiliation fee of £10 as well as tho home and school associations. As' a teacher she had found the circulars issued by tho fedoration an inspiration, showing that a body outside; the profession wnc takr ing an interest in education. Mr.- L. 6. P. Whyto opposed both motion and-amendment. Many school i-ommittoes could;not afford £3 3s and liome and school asosciations wont'to the public for specific purposes, and had no mandate from parents to pay £10 for tho work of tho federation. They should concentrate oh getting I more affiliations at £1 Is. Mr. C. 11. Nicholls also opposed an increase in fees, saying ho did not think they wero' getting enough support from the teachers. This was denied by Miss Magill, who said that the teachers wcro doing all they possibly could for tno benefit of education, and in that, respect they did more to improve .conditions for the children ■ tl'iftrt- for themselves as teachers. . .'^, Tlio .amendment was lost. , A. jfurther. amendment,' moved by Mr, L. G. P. Whyte, that the affiliation fee be £2 2s to homo and school associations and £1 Is to school committees, was also lost.' Mr. Ingram's motion, with the words "in respect to all affiliations ex-; ecpt school committees," added-at'the instigation of Mr. Parlane, was thon dofeated. Mr. B. A. Rough's suggestion that, «a financial conunittee be set up, the executive to go into the monetary affairs of tho federation, was agreed to.